Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni opened its gates to approximately 175,000 guests for the 40th anniversary of the MCAS
Iwakuni Friendship Day Air Show, May 5, 2016.
Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has conducted a single-day air show and open house
specifically designed to foster positive relationships between the air station
and Japan. This year is the 40th annual Friendship Day, offering a culturally
enriching experience that displays the mutual support that the U.S. and Japan
share.
This annual event showcases a variety of static displays, aviation performances
and demonstrations, and provides food and entertainment for guests of the
largest single-day event in Iwakuni. Guests attending the event will have the
unique opportunity to experience a once-in-a-lifetime air show, according to
Lt. Col. Robert E. Carlson, air show coordinator and station operations
officer.
“Friendship Day is MCAS Iwakuni's largest annual community outreach event, and
it extends beyond the local and regional area,” said Carlson. “This year is
even more significant due to it being the 40th anniversary event and being an
opportunity for people to show their support and encouragement to those
impacted by the earthquakes in Kyushu. It promises to be a truly unique air
show and open house experience.”
According to Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni,
Friendship Day is an opportunity to display the solidarity with Japan and
expand the relationship. This event is more than an air show, it’s an event
that helps reaffirm our longstanding friendship with Japan, the same friendship
where personnel and resources actively supported humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief efforts.
“Friendship Day is about bringing the Iwakuni community and the station
community together,” said Boucher. “Today is for local Japanese to have a
better appreciation for what the Marine Corps is and what we are about. I hope
that this is an educational opportunity for everyone and that we get to know
each other a little bit better.”
Some performances included the Pemberton Aerosports Squirrel-Suit Jump, Whiskey
Papa Skywriting, flight design where a Ferrari car challenges Yoshi Muroya, the
air racer, to an air-ground race, the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team,
and demonstrations from an AV-8B Harrier, MV-22B Osprey, the Marine Air-Ground
Task Force and Pacific Air Forces' F-16 demonstration team.
The AV-8B Harrier and the MV-22 Osprey flight demonstration is one of the most
sought-after aerial demonstrations offered by the U.S. military. For the first
time, Friendship Day thrilled audience members with an air show demonstration
that combined the maneuverability of the MV-22 Osprey and the power of the
AV-8B Harrier. The same Marines and aircraft that train and deploy in support
of real-world contingencies, such as the Kumamoto earthquake relief effort,
performed at the air show. For this reason, only a handful of events receive
this demonstration.
The MAGTF is the organizational structure of the Marine Corps and is made up of
four elements: command, ground combat, aviation combat and combat service
support. During the MAGTF demonstration, audiences witnessed close air support,
simulated aerial refueling and extended capabilities of Marine Corps’ assets
that perform in expeditionary environments.
Located throughout the event were numerous U.S. and other aircraft static
displays for visitors to take pictures with. Displays included: an F/A-18C/D
Hornet, AV-8B Harriers, a MV-22B Osprey, and KC-130J Super Hercules from III
Marine Expeditionary Force, and a KC-135 Stratotanker, E-3 Sentry, UH-1
Helicopter, F/A-18E Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, and furthermore an A-10
Thunderbolt II and a F-16 Fighting Falcon from U.S. forces in Korea. Aircraft
Owners and Pilots Association Japan also had static displays, which included
classics such as WACO biplanes.
The air show also provided guests the opportunity to observe ground combat
element capabilities within Marine Wing Support Squadron 171’s heavy and
utilities equipment, Expeditionary Field Kitchen and a wide variety of military
vehicles. Marine tactical units from Okinawa, Japan, also served as a great
addition and shared their proficiencies in tactics on the ground.
Friendship Day came to an end as aircraft descended and guests departed the air
station. Although it’s a one-day event, Friendship Day represents an alliance
between two nations.
“The culturally enriching spirit of Friendship Day has been mutually beneficial
for decades, and we do hope to have a joint-sponsored event next year,” said
Carlson. “Friendship Day represents the enduring bond between the U.S. and
Japan, and we hope to continue that tradition next year.”